Modular file element and components thereof

ABSTRACT

A joint structure for use in a filing rack of the type which may be utilized to support loose-leaf binders or the like in hanging relationship is disclosed. The joint structure is constructed to retain two rod-like elements of a rack structure together. The joint structure includes a hollow support member having two pairs of aligned holes for receiving the rod-like elements and a specially constructed locking means which coacts with a specially configured arrangement of grooves in the rod-like elements interior of the hollow support member to retain the rod elements in place relative to each other and relative to the hollow support member.

United States Patent 1191 Malcik et al.

1451 Mar. 27, 1973 154] MODULAR FILE ELEMENT AND COMPONENTS THEREOF [73]Assignee: Swingline, lnc., Long Island City,

[22] Filed: myv', 197T [21] Appl. No.: 141,317

- [52] US. Cl. ..211/177, 287/54 B, 287/189.36 A

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 823,451 Sweeney et al...287/54 B 1,393,679 10/1921 Forster ....287/20.924 1,563,137 11/1925AmSler ..211/177 X 1,484,856 2/1924 Zilisch ..211/177 2,017,626 10/1935Kohnke... ...287/54 B 2,512,725 6/1950 Mock .343/797 1,950,635 3/1934Stcinmayer ..287/54 B 3,034,185 S/l962 Olsen ..287/54 B X 3,606,0239/1971 Edmunds ..211/177 X Primary Examiner.Nile C. Byers, Jr.Attorneyl. Walton Bader 57 ABSTRACT.

A joint structure for use in a filing rack of the type which may beutilized to support 1oose-1eaf binders or the like in hangingrelationship is disclosed. The joint structure is constructed to retaintwo rod-like elements of a rack structure together. The joint structureincludes a hollow support member having two pairs of aligned holes forreceiving the rod-like elements and a specially constructed lockingmeans which coacts with a specially configured arrangement of grooves inthe rod-like elements interior of the hollow support member to retainthe rod elements in place relative to each other and relative to thehollow support member.

10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHARZYISYS SHEET 10F 3 INVENTORSFrank J. MGICik BY Edward wwhittemore John P Clark AttornnvPATENTEUNARZYISB SHEET 3 BF 3 INVENTORS Frank J.Mc1|cik BY Edward WWhittemore John P Clark .2. al-A 120.1

- Attorney MODULAR FILE ELEMENT AND COMPONENTS THEREOF BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION:

This invention relates to filing racks for record elements and inparticular to ajoint structure for connecting file carrying rod-likeelements of a rack together. This invention is specifically useful .inthe filing of large amounts of records such as those produced bycomputer print-out.

Generally computer print-out output is of large quantity and, afterbeing studied, must be filed. The output is generally placed in postbinders which then must be placed into some type offiling device.

Since binders filled with computer print-out sheets are heavy it ispreferable to utilize suspended filing techniques where such binders aresupported in hanging relationship on parallel rod-like elements of asuitable rack. However, there has not been a convenient rack structureheretofore made to do so. The present invention provides a speciallyconstructed joint structure which permits the convenient assembly ofindividual modular units which can be used both as in dividual filingracks suitable for suspended filing of loose-leaf binders and the likeand in combination with other identical modular units to form acomposite rack structure suitably configured to meet the special needsof a particular application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention a joint structure for use in a filing rack is provided. Inconstruction the joint structure includes a hollow support member and alocking means disposed internally of the support member for connectingtogether two rod-like elements each of which extends through a pair ofaligned openings in the support member. The pairs of openings aredisposed in overlying relationship to each other and each rod-likeelement has a pair of spaced apart grooves located interiorly of thesupport to cooperatively engage the interiorly located locking means tohold the rod-like elements together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an perspective view of amodular file rack constructed according to this invention also showing apost binder supported thereon in hanging relationship.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the joint structure accordingto this invention which permits modular rack units to be joined in sideby side relationship.

FIG. 3 is a elevation view of a plurality of modular filing elementsconstructed according to this invention disposed in vertically stackedrelationship.

FIG. 4 is a elevation view ofa plurality of modular filing racksconstructed according to this invention disposed in vertically stackedrelationship and with a modular filing rack connected to the verticallystacked units in side-by-side relationship.

FIG. 5 is a detail side elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of thearea 5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the joint structure accordingto this invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the joint structure shown in FIG. 6 inassembled condition.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the locking means utilized in a jointstructure according to this invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view ofa rod-like element of the joint structureaccording to this invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken alonglines l0l0 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIG. 1, the modularfile rack or unit 11 constructed according to this invention is composedof four upstanding hollow support members 12 of each of which, in theconstruction shown has a generally square cross-section and is formedwith a plurality of rectangular sides 13. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7at the upper end portion 38 of each support member 12 opposing sides 13are provided with pairs of aligned openings 14 and 15 located atdifferent height levels along the support member. In the constructionshown, the support member has a square cross-section so that openings 14and openings 15 are positioned in perpendicular relationship relative toeach other. As shown, openings 14 adjacently overlie openings 15.

Referring again to FIG. 1 at the lower end portion 39 of each supportmember 12 opposing sides 13 are provided with pairs of aligned openings34 and 35 which occupy the same positioned relationship relative to eachother as the corresponding openings 14 and 15 respectively in the upperend portion of support member 12 previously described.

Support members 12 are connected together in the manner shown to form arack by rods 16 and 17 at their upper ends and by rods 45 and 46 attheir lower ends.

Each end 18 of each of these rods is, as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,provided with a pair of spaced V-shaped grooves 19 with the includedangle between groove faces 19a being approximately To form the rack eachend 18 of each rod is inserted through an appropriate pair of alignedopenings in the support member. Grooves 19 in each end of a rod arespaced apart by a distance such that when a rod is inserted into anappropriate pair of aligned openings both grooves 19 are locatedinteriorly of the hollow support member as best shown in FIG. 10. In theconstruction shown the distance between the farthest removed points 20of spaced grooves 19 is approximately equal to the distance between theinside surfaces of opposing sides ofa support member.

As mentioned previously members 12 are hollow and are open at the topportion 38 and at the bottom portion 39. A cap 24 is adapted to fitwithin the open top portion 38 and open bottom portion 39 of eachsupport member 12. Cap 24 consists of body portion 25 and of overlyingtop portion 26 and tits into the support member 12 like a plug with thebody portion disposed within the support member and the top portionoverlying the end of the support member. Top portion 26 is provided withan opening 27 for receiving a pin 28 which projects above top portion 26for a purpose which will be described hereinafter.

For the purpose of retaining the end portions 18 of rods l6, 17, 45 and46 within the appropriate openings in the support members 12 a lockingmeans is provided. In the construction shown, this means comprises aclip or shackle 21 which includes a bridge portion 23 and a pair of legs22 depending downwardly from opposite ends of bridge 23.

The shackle 21 coacts with the grooves 19 in two rod ends 18 extendingin intersecting and in over-andunder relationship through alignedopenings in an end of a support member 12 to thereby act as a shackletying the two rod ends together. The nature of cooperation and coactionbetween shackle 21 and rod ends 18 can be best seen in FIG. 10. Withreference to FIG.

rod end 18a extends through the overlying aligned openings 14 inopposing sides 13a, 13b, respectively, of support member 12. Rod end18b, as shown, extends through aligned openings 15 in sides 13c and 13d,respectively, of support member 12. Thereby rod end 18a overlies rod end18b in perpendicular intersecting relationship thereto. With its legs 22facing downward and with its bridge 23 extending diagonally in relationto the square defined by the cross-section of support member 12, clip 21is inserted into the support member so that its bridge portion overliesthe rod ends 18a, 18b in contact with overlying rod end 18a and so thateach of its legs engage in mating relationship one groove of one rod endand one groove of the other rod end. Thus in the construction shown, leg22b of clip 21 engages the endmost groove 19e of rod end 18b and theinner most groove l9i of rod end 18a. Leg 22a of clip 21, on the otherhand, engages the endmost groove 19c of rod end 18a and the innermostgroove 191' of rod end 18b, It is, of course, also possible to insertclip 21 so that one of its legs engages the innermost groove 19i in rodend 180 and the innermost groove 191' in rod end 18b with its other legengaging the endmost grooves 19:? of the respective rod ends. This isaccomplished simply be inserting clip 21 so that its bridge'23 extendsalong the other diagonal of the square defined by the cross-section ofsupport member 12.

A file or record book 36, including a plurality of hooked members 37 maybe optionally retained in hanging relationship upon members 16 as shownin FIG. 1.

A base 29 may optionally be provided which includes a plurality ofhollow upstanding members 30, each of which have a cap 24 disposedthereupon and a caster 33 carried by support 47.

A pair of members 31 join opposite members 30 to each other and anadditional pair of members 32 also join opposite members 30 to oneanother. The: opening 27 in the cap 24 disposed upon thetop portion ofeach of members 30 is'adapted to accommodate the same pin 28 which isdisposed within opening 27 located within cap 24 disposed in the bottomof the corresponding upstanding support member 12 of the modular rack11. Thus themodular rack 11 is firmly connected to base 29 but can beeasily removed vided which is identical in construction to each of sup-6 port members 12 except that it does not include the openings 14, 15,34 and 35. Cap members 24 are disposed in the ends of support 56 andpins 28 extend through holes 27 in abutting cap members to hold support56in place. I

Also, in the area shown in FIG. 3 a top of the interconnected area maybe incomplete. This top may be completed by a member 48. Member 48includes a pair of opposite upstanding members 49 which bear a pluralityof rods 50 and S1 therewithin. Members 49, other than the heightthereof, are identical in construction to support members 12 and rods 50and 51 are secured therewithin by means of the same type of structurepreviously described in connection with FIGS. 6

through 10.

According to this invention adjacent modular units can be joinedtogether in side by side relationship as shown in FIG. 4. For thispurpose thereis provided a connector clip 52 which is speciallyconstructed to utilize the pins 28 projecting from the end caps 24 toachieve the side-by-side connection. As best shown in FIG. 2 clip 52includes a substantially flat plate 53 which is provided with two holesfor receiving pins 28 projecting from the end caps 24-of the appropriatesupport members in the modular units to be joined. The holes 54 areseparated by an upstanding substantially V-shaped portion 55. As shownin FIG. 5 the V-shaped portion 55 fits between adjacent support members12 with the body 53 extending across the end caps thereof.

The V-shaped portion 55 acts to align theholes 54 in body 53 with thepins 28. The V-shaped portion also acts to maintain afixed spacingbetween adjacent support members. It is noted that the clip 52 whilepermitting the assembly of modular units in side-by-side relationshipwill also permit other units to be assembled in a vertically stackedrelationship as shown in FIG. 4

and S.

We claim:

1. In a filing rack, a joint structure comprising:

a. a hollow support member having two pairs of aligned openings with onepair of aligned openings being disposed in overlying relationship withrespect to the other pair of aligned openings;

. a rod'like member extending through each pair of aligned openings,each rod-like member having a pair of spaced apart grooves locatedinteriorly of the support member; and

c. locking means disposed within the support member and cooperativelyengaging both grooves in each rod element for retaining the rod'likemembers in place relative to each other and relative to the supportmember. 2. The joint structure according toclaim 1 wherein said lockingmeans comprises: 7

a. a shackle element having:

a. a bridge portion overlying the rod-like-relements;

and

b. a pair of leg portions depending downwardly from opposite ends of thebridge portion with each leg portion engaging one groove of eachrod-like member in mating relationship thereto.

3. The joint structure according to claim 2 wherein the pairs of alignedopenings in the support member are oriented in intersecting relationshiprelative to each b. each groove in each rod-like member has a generallyV-shape with the included angle between the faces of the V beingapproximately 90; and

c. said support member has a generally square crosssectionalconfiguration; and

d. said bridge portion of the shackle element extends diagonallyrelative to the support member.

5. The joint structure according to claim 4 wherein the distance betweenthe grooves in each rod-like element is approximately equal to thedistance between the inner surfaces of opposite sides of the squaresupport member.

6. The joint structure according to claim 5 further including:

a. a cap member mounted on the end of the support member;

b. a hole in the cap member; and

c. a pin member disposed in tight fitting relationship within said hole;said pin member projecting from said cap member beyond the end of thesupport member whereby its projecting portion is adapted for insertioninto the hole in an abutting cap member of another support member of therack arranged in vertically stacked relation with respect to the firstmentioned support member.

7. The joint structure according to claim 6 wherein the end of each rodlies substantially flush with the external surface of one side of thesupport member.

8. The joint structure according to clam 7 further including;

a. connecting means for coacting with the pin members projecting fromthe ends of adjacently located support members of the rack for securingsaid adjacently located support members together in side by siderelationship.

9. The joint structure according to claim 8 wherein said connectingmeans comprises a. a connector clip having 1. a substantially flat platemember adapted to overlie the cap members of said adjacently locatedsupport members; and

2. a pair of spaced holes in the plate member registering with the holesin the cap members of the adjacently located support members, said holesbeing adapted to receive the pin members projecting form said holes insaid cap members.

10. The joint structure according to claim 9 wherein:

a. said connector clip includes a V-shaped portion upstanding from theplate member at a point located midway between said holes in the platemember, said V-shaped portion being adapted to fit between saidadjacently located support members.

1. In a filing rack, a joint structure comprising: a. a hollow supportmember having two pairs of aligned openings with one pair of alignedopenings being disposed in overlying relationship with respect to theother pair of aligned openings; b. a rod-like member extending througheach pair of aligned openings, each rod-like member having a pair ofspaced apart grooves located interiorly of the support member; and c.locking means disposed within the support member and cooperativelyengaging both grooves in each rod element for retaining the rod-likemembers in place relative to each other and relative to the supportmember.
 2. The joint structure according to claim 1 wherein said lockingmeans comprises: a. a shackle element having: a. a bridge portionoverlying the rod-like elements; and b. a pair of leg portions dependingdownwardly from opposite ends of the bridge portion with each legportion engaging one groove of each rod-like member in matingrelationship thereto.
 2. a pair of spaced holes in the plate memberregistering with the holes in the cap members of the adjacently locatedsupport members, said holes being adapted to receive the pin membersprojecting form said holes in said cap members.
 3. The joint structureaccording to claim 2 wherein the pairs of aligned openings in thesupport member are oriented in intersecting relationship relative toeach other.
 4. The joint structure according to claim 3 wherein: a. thepairs of aligned openings in the support member are oriented insubstantially perpendicular relationship with respect to each other; andb. each groove in each rod-like member has a generally V-shape with theincluded angle between the faces of the V being approximately 90* ; andc. said support member has a generally square cross-sectionalconfiguration; and d. said bridge portion of the shackle element extendsdiagonally relative to the support member.
 5. The joint structureaccording to claim 4 wherein the distance between the grooves in eachrod-like element is approximately equal to the distance between theinner surfaces of opposite sides of the square support member.
 6. Thejoint structure according to claim 5 further including: a. a cap membermounted on the end of the support member; b. a hole in the cap member;and c. a pin member disposed in tight fitting relationship within saidhole; said pin member projecting from said cap member beyond the end ofthe support member whereby its projecting portion is adapted forinsertion into the hole in an abutting cap member of another supportmember of the rack arranged in vertically stacked relation with respectto the first mentioned support member.
 7. The joint structure accordingto claim 6 wherein the end of each rod lies substantially flush with theexternal surface of one side of the support member.
 8. The jointstructure according to clam 7 further including; a. connecting means forcoacting with the pin members projecting from the ends of adjacentlylocated support membeRs of the rack for securing said adjacently locatedsupport members together in side by side relationship.
 9. The jointstructure according to claim 8 wherein said connecting means comprisesa. a connector clip having
 10. The joint structure according to claim 9wherein: a. said connector clip includes a V-shaped portion upstandingfrom the plate member at a point located midway between said holes inthe plate member, said V-shaped portion being adapted to fit betweensaid adjacently located support members.